Industry Skills Advisory Program
Supporting great training and good jobs for the manufacturing industry
Training is a critical aspect of any business strategy. As technology advances, new ways to be sustainable, and consumer demand transform our manufacturing industry and our training system needs to keep pace.
Our Industry Skills Advisors work with industry to understand current and emerging trends, skill requirements, forecast jobs growth and employment opportunities to inform government and non-government programs, initiatives, and events. Connect with an Industry Skills Advisor.
Queensland’s manufacturing industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by advancements in technology, evolving workforce dynamics, and a shift towards more streamlined and efficient processes. There is an increasing emphasis on upskilling the workforce to adapt to the demands of modern manufacturing, fostering a culture of innovation and forward-thinking.
Our Industry Skills Advisors support the industry by working with employers and other stakeholders to gather and provide advice directly to government. This helps ensure training and skills priorities, training programs and the level of investment are aligned to industry needs.
Focus area
Industry Skills Advisors work with employers and other stakeholders from a broad cross-section in manufacturing including:
- Aerospace
- Chemical, hydrogen and hydrocarbon, refining
- Defence
- Food and beverage
- Furnishings and other related products
- General manufacturing
- Meat processing
- Metal engineering
- Pharmaceuticals and medical technology
- Polymers, plastic and rubber
- Printing and graphic arts
- Pulp, paper and packaging
- Renewables and low carbon
- Textiles, clothing and footwear
- Timber and wood
- Supporting capabilities including laboratory operations, sustainability and process plant operations.
Working with an Industry Skills Advisor
Our Industry Skills Advisors engage with employers and other industry stakeholders to provide high quality, evidence-based industry advice and intelligence about current and emerging industry direction, regional skills needs and training solutions, jobs growth and employment opportunities to the Queensland Government. This advice will:
- inform and align training and skills priorities and decision-making, including program design and investment settings which will implement skilling solutions for industry
- inform and contribute to national Vocational Education and Training (VET) reform agendas and the review and development of training package product
- support the industry’s connection with vocational education and training programs, initiatives, and events.
Our Industry Reference Groups
Hearing directly from industry is important. Our Industry Skills Advisors connect with employers and stakeholders one-on-one or in groups. Our Industry Skills Advisors facilitate Industry Reference Groups across five broad areas of the manufacturing industry.
These groups are:
- General manufacturing
- Engineering
- Food and beverage
- Furnishings
- Meat processing
Join an Industry Reference Group
Industry Reference Groups meet quarterly (virtually) and include representatives from manufacturers and key stakeholders from all of the regions of Queensland. Agendas are set in advance, and topics include skilling requirements and initiatives, training package updates, review and recommendations of funding allocation and importantly focus on quality training delivery.
Industry Reference Group members join because they want to make a difference in the industry. Membership includes:
- Employers of all sizes from the manufacturing industry
- Queensland Government representation (from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training)
- Jobs and Skills Councils
- Union, peaks, and councils
- Other stakeholders committed to vocational education and training excellence in the industry.
Contact our Industry Skills Advisors if you are interested in becoming a member of a reference group.
Project outcomes
The are a range of projects underway.
Aerospace Talent Development Project
The Aerospace Talent Development Project is a Queensland Government funded, industry-driven initiative with the goal of attracting new talent to the industry. A steering committee will support project implementation.
Beef Processing Mentoring Project
Designed to address sustainability within the meat processing industry by focusing on key areas that have been identified after extensive industry consultation as challenges, namely employee retention, training, and well-being. The multifaceted approach includes an employee integration program, micro-credential training and a wellbeing program.
Craft Distilling Pilot Project
Working with TAFE Queensland and industry in providing a fully funded traineeship pilot to address the identified lack of educational pathway for the industry.
TCF Funding and Training Project
Sourced funding for the development and implementation of a Certificate III level qualification with both a textile and a clothing manufacturing stream, skilling for 80 existing workers across Queensland.
Hydrogen Skilling Project
Ensure Queensland educators stand at the cutting edge of hydrogen skill development so that the workforce has access to world-class hydrogen training which will underpin domestic utilisation and export.
Skills Shortage Project
Identify engineering occupations which are currently in skills shortage within the regions of Queensland and develop strategies which will attract potential apprentices to be skilled.
Degree Apprenticeship
A pilot that combines a degree in engineering with a Certificate III trade qualification, all delivered as an apprenticeship. Combining theoretical and practical skills gained and applied in the workplace.
Advanced Welding Project
Funded through the Queensland Government’s VET Emerging Industries Manufacturing Fund, this project will enhance the interstate and international competitiveness of Queensland manufacturers by upskilling existing workers and ensure the units of competence are available to be included in future training plans for Certificate III, IV and diploma apprentices and trainees.
Green Ammonia Manufacturing Project
Funded through the Queensland Government’s VET Emerging Industries Manufacturing Fund, this project will research and build comprehensive courses, training and learning materials for the ammonia production industry to underpin the skills development of a growing workforce, driven by the expanding renewable energy industry as well as assisting to decarbonise other sub-industries.
Completed projects
The Industry Skills Advisor program has supported the completion of a number of successful projects.
Advanced Machining Skills
Develop the learning and assessment materials of nine units of competence so that apprentices can acquire advanced machining skills. On-job tradespersons are being upskilled to provide supervision to Certificate IV apprentices.
Certificate IV in Meat Processing (Quality Assurance)
Working with Industry and DESBT, we had the qualification declared as a traineeship to be delivered in Queensland and added to the user choice list, so more workers are eligible for funding to undertake this qualification.
Competitive Systems and Practice
Conducted extensive consultations with industry to gather evidence which would assist Government make an informed decision on investment settings which would facilitate businesses skilling more workers through funded training.
Queensland Beef Stakeholder Toolkits project
This project developed toolkits that will help attract new employees to the industry. These toolkits are free for industry use and are available for download on the Queensland Beef website.
Contact our Industry Skills Advisors if you are interested in learning more about a project.
About the program
The Industry Skills Advisory program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, designed to support employer, small business and industry connect and engage with the training sector, government programs and investment.
The Industry Skills Advisory program is funded by the Queensland Government as part of Skills for Queensland – Great training for quality jobs.